Women of #MeToo Gather for Much-Needed Moment of Healing

For the past year, actress Rosanna Arquette has been a leading voice in the #MeToo movement, headlining events, giving interviews and lending her star power to the fight against sexual misconduct in the workplace.

But even though she’s no stranger to accolades, being applauded for her activism by a roaring 1,500 women at the “Power Women Summit” in downtown Los Angeles Friday left her so overwhelmed, she completely blanked out.

“I had a little shutdown,” she told TheWrap almost apologetically. “I kind of went out of my body for minute. I felt really emotional being with the girls.”

Arquette, who was among the first women to accuse Harvey Weinstein of sexual misconduct last year, was one of more than two dozen #MeToo advocates honored at the event, aimed at achieving gender equity in entertainment and media. For many, it was their first time receiving a thunderous ovation for their activism.

“You could feel this energy, like going to your first day of school or something,” Arquette said. “I was so nervous. Are the girls going to be mean? Is everything going to be OK?”

Coming forward has taken a toll on many #MeToo accusers. For some, the last year has been marked with a barrage of attacks from internet trolls. Others have lost their jobs. Almost all have experienced what experts call “secondary traumatization.”

Being recognized for their role in the grassroots movement along with fellow activists served as a moment of catharsis for many.

The event, which was organized by TheWrap, featured some of the most recognizable names within the fledgeling movement, including actresses Mira Sorvino and Jessica Barth, both Weinstein accusers, and Illeana Douglas, who accused Les Moonves of sexual misconduct in July. Other speakers included women’s rights icons Anita Hill, who became a national figure in 1991 when she accused U.S. Supreme Court nominee Clarence Thomas of sexual harassment, and Tarana Burke, the founder of the #MeToo movement.

Like many women activists and accusers in attendance, Arquette said she had communicated with several of them over email and Twitter, but this was the first time she had met most of them in person.

“It makes me cry,” she said choking back tears. “I feel very emotional about it.”

As Arquette spoke, a steady stream of women politely interrupted our chat to thank her for her “courage” and to ask for a selfie. Arquette, best-known for her iconic roles in “Pulp Fiction” and “Desperately Seeking Susan,” graciously obliged.

“It’s just been a really inspirational day and it makes me feel happy to be a woman right now more than ever,” she said.

As part of the event’s programming, the women were invited to a special closed training session on how to cope with trauma, conducted by trauma specialist and Weinstein accuser Louise Godbold.

Godbold said the training session was attended by roughly 100 women, including Burke and Sorvino.

“It was quite an extraordinary experience,” Godbold told TheWrap. “I do these training all the time and I’ve never felt such unity and support.”

“I presented the information the way that I usually do because I’m very familiar with it and yet the underlying thing was a sense of, we’re all in this together,” Godbold said, adding that she had a difficult time holding back tears throughout the day.

Chantal Cousineau, who last year was one of nearly 400 women to accuse director James Toback of sexual misconduct, said being in a room full of supportive women was “moving” but that the real reward was the chance to show others her ability “to stand up” for herself.

“It’s amazing to finally be heard and seen from a survivor’s perspective,” she said.

Arquette said the event served as “a safe space for everybody to swap stories and ideas and to connect with filmmakers and artists and politicians.”

“It’s just really a great vibe,” she said. “Women should rule the world.”

The Scene at Power Women Summit 2018: Anita Hill, Alyssa Milano, HAIM and More at TheWrap's Leadership Event (Photos)

TheWrap's 2018 Power Women Summit, which is dedicated to The Road to 50/50 gender parity in the workplace by 2020, was held Nov. 1-2 at the Intercontinental Downtown Los Angeles hotel. Powerful female leaders from entertainment, media, politics and more converged at the event.

Alyssa Milano sits down with Barbara Boxer and Nicole Boxer for the live "The Boxer Podcast."

Photo by Randy Shropshire

Anita Hill gives the keynote remarks, "Changing the System," during Day 2 of the Power Women Summit.

Photo by Randy Shropshire

Actress Felicity Jones speaks with USC's Dr. Stacy Smith about her film "On the Basis of Sex."

Photo by Randy Shropshire

The HAIM sisters discuss gender pay inequality.

Photo by Ella DeGea

Barbara Boxer and Nicole Boxer arrive at the Power Women Summit.

Photo by Lisa Connor

Actress and activist Zoe Saldana during the Activism and Empowering the Next Generation panel during Day 2 of the 2018 Power Women Summit.

Photo by Randy Shopshire

Anita Hill delivers her keynote speech.

Photo by Ella DeGea

Model and activist Emily Ratajkowski at the second day of the 2018 Power Women Summit.

Photo by Lisa Connor

Tarana Burke, #MeToo movement founder, and Mira Sorvino during the #MeToo and Tribute to Survivors panel at the second day of TheWrap’s 2018 Power Women Summit.

Photo by Randy Shropshire

Sharon Waxman introduces the first day of events at the Power Women Summit 2018.

Photo by Randy Shropshire

The Kaplan Twins pose with their displayed artwork at the Power Women Summit.

Photo by Ella DeGea

Artwork by Connecticut artist Nina Harris in the lobby during the networking cocktail party on the opening night of the Power Women Summit.

Photo by Ella DeGea

Artwork leading into registration at the Power Women Summit.

Photo by Jen Lowery

Registration for the Power Women Summit 2018 at the Intercontinental Downtown Los Angeles.

Photo by Jen Lowery

Registration for the Power Women Summit 2018 at the Intercontinental Downtown Los Angeles on Nov. 1, 2018.

Photo by Lisa Connor

Artwork in the lobby during the networking cocktail party on the opening night of the Power Women Summit.

Photo by Lisa Connor

Artwork in the lobby during the networking cocktail party on the opening night of the Power Women Summit.

Photo by Lisa Connor

Moms Demand Action and Everytown for Gun Safety set up a booth at the Power Women Summit 2018.

Photo by Ted Soqui

Moms Demand Action and Everytown for Gun Safety set up a booth at the Power Women Summit 2018.

Photo by Lisa Connor

Moms Demand Action and Everytown for Gun Safety set up a booth at the Power Women Summit 2018.

Photo by Lisa Connor

Artwork in the lobby during the networking cocktail party on the opening night of the Power Women Summit.

Photo by Lisa Connor

Neon light artwork by Roxy Rose at the Power Women Summit at the Intercontinental Downtown Los Angeles on Nov. 1, 2018.

Photo by Lisa Connor

The Kaplan Twins pose in front of their featured artwork.

Photo by Ella DeGea

Artwork from Jana Cruder at the Power Women Summit.

Photo by Ella DeGea

Artwork from local Los Angeles artist Olga Lah in the lobby during the networking cocktail party on the opening night of the Power Women Summit.

Photo by Ella DeGea

Attendees with their Power Women swag bags.

Photo by Ella DeGea

Artist Meghan Quinn poses with her artwork at the Power Women Summit.

Photo by Randy Shropshire

Attendees at the Power Women Summit 2018.

Photo by Ted Soqui

Attendees pose for a photo in the lobby at the Power Women Summit 2018.

Photo by Randy Shropshire

TheWrap founder and CEO Sharon Waxman introduces the evening program of Day 1 of the Power Women Summit inside the 50/50 Ballroom.

Marisa Corvo and Diane Warren perform in the 50/50 Ballroom at the Power Women Summit.

Photo by Ted Soqui

Diane Warren performs at the Power Women Summit.

Photo by Randy Shropshire

Marisa Corvo performs at the Power Women Summit.

Photo by Randy Shropshire

Marisa Corvo and Diane Warren at the Power Women Summit.

Photo by Randy Shropshire

Trace Lysette gives a speech at the Power Women Summit, "Coming Soon: Great Roles for Women."

Photo by Ella DeGea

Vice Media's Nancy Dubuc speaks in a Keynote panel, "Women at the Top - The Decision Maker," in conversation with Sharon Waxman.

Photo by Ella DeGea

The Keynote panel at the Power Women Summit, "What It's Like to Be First," moderated by Jo Ling Kent.

Photo by Ella DeGea

Sherry Lansing speaks on the keynote panel, "What It's Like to be First."

Photo by Ella DeGea

Maria Contreras-Sweet speaks on the panel discussion, "What It's Like to Be First."

Photo by Ella DeGea

American sabre fencer Ibtihaj Muhammad speaks on the panel discussion, "What It's Like to Be First."

Photo by Ella DeGea

Christine Simmons of the WNBA LA Sparks speaks on the panel discussion, "What It's Like to Be First."

Photo by Ella DeGea

Bria Smith and Jaclyn Corin of March for Our Lives accept the Voice of the Future Award.

Photo by Randy Shropshire

Bria Smith and Jaclyn Corin of March for Our Lives accept the Voice of the Future Award.

Photo by Randy Shropshire

The scene at the SAG-AFTRA Guild Roundtable discussing "Picture Gender Equality: How Fair Pay and More Roles for Women in Hollywood Can Shift Culture."

Photo by Randy Shropshire

The scene at the SAG-AFTRA Guild Roundtable discussing "Picture Gender Equality: How Fair Pay and More Roles for Women in Hollywood Can Shift Culture."

Photo by Randy Shropshire

The scene at the SAG-AFTRA Guild Roundtable discussing "Picture Gender Equality: How Fair Pay and More Roles for Women in Hollywood Can Shift Culture."

Photo by Randy Shropshire

The scene at the mentorship session at the Power Women Summit.

Photo by Ted Soqui

The scene at the mentorship session at the Power Women Summit.

Photo by Ted Soqui

The scene at the mentorship session at the Power Women Summit.

Photo by Ted Soqui

Attendees at the closing of the Power Women Summit and Kickback Party.

Photo by Randy Shropshire

Political Activists, Paulina Luco and Patricia Leiva, at the Power Women Summit.

Photo by Ella DeGea

Artist Anne Bray interacting with attendees at the Power Women Summit.

Photo by Ted Soqui

Attendees at the closing of the Power Women Summit and Kickback Party.

Photo by Randy Shropshire

Artwork by Lila Hawk at the Power Women Summit.

Photo by Ted Soqui

The scene at the closing of the Power Women Summit and Kickback Party.

Photo by Ted Soqui

Attendees at the closing of the Power Women Summit and Kickback Party.

Photo by Ted Soqui

Attendees at the closing of the Power Women Summit and Kickback Party.

Photo by Randy Shropshire

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Power Women Summit: The Road to 50/50 by 2020 is held Nov. 1-2 at The Intercontinental Downtown Los Angeles

TheWrap's 2018 Power Women Summit, which is dedicated to The Road to 50/50 gender parity in the workplace by 2020, was held Nov. 1-2 at the Intercontinental Downtown Los Angeles hotel. Powerful female leaders from entertainment, media, politics and more converged at the event.